ATLANTA — Deandre Ayton sat in the visiting locker room at Quicken Loans Arena on the wrong end of another loss that set the wrong kind of record for the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns (11-49) dropped their 16th straight game Thursday night, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That didn’t sit well with the rookie 7-footer — and stoked an urge to take matters into his own hands.

“I gave them enough time to let them run what they got to run,” Ayton said. “Now I’m about to just take over now. It’s about that time to take over and not really look back.”

Wow.

To put this in some context, this was a game Phoenix felt it was going to win — and should’ve won. The Cavaliers (13-46) are having just as bad a season as the Suns and they don't have nearly the same type of young talent.

Individually, Ayton scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbed four rebounds in helping the Suns build a 28-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.

He took just five more shots the remainder of the game in scoring 13 points in 35 minutes. So his comments came out of frustration, but Ayton's coach is taking responsibility for his 20-year-old center fizzling out of Thursday's game.

“I will always answer this kind of questions and put it on the coach,” Suns first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov said. “How I can make him be more involved. Just not necessarily in regards to his offense, not necessarily his touches, but he’s a big part of our system on both sides of the court. Defensively. That’s a challenge for me as a coach to keep him more engaged. Keep him more involved. That’s strategically what we’re trying to do.”

Ayton added nine rebounds, but he didn’t leave a major imprint on Thursday's game.

He didn’t block a shot or commit a foul against a team that scored 52 points in the paint. Ayton looked out of place defensively and didn’t have the energy that often takes his play to another level.

“On the flip side, players play the game,” Kokoskov continued. “You’ve got to demand. You’ve got to show some will and some energy and demand to be involved. You can call a play, but the play doesn’t mean it’s necessarily for you. You trigger the problem and you don’t know who is going to shoot the ball. How the play is going to be executed.”

This has been a season-long theme for the Suns: Find a way to keep who Kokoskov called before the season “the face of the franchise” involved in the game.

When fully engaged, Ayton has shown why he was taken first overall. He just hasn't shown it on a consistent basis to help Phoenix win more.

On the flip side of Thursday’s loss, Ayton wasn’t the only one who had bad moments.

Devin Booker scored 30 points, but committed nine turnovers.

Josh Jackson shot 5-of-16 from the field.

As a team, Phoenix allowed Cleveland to shoot 49.4 percent and played like their last place defensive rating – tied with New York – would indicate.

It takes a collective effort to lose 16 consecutive games and have the league’s worst record, but one person can help turn things around.

Ayton is talking as if he wants to be that person.

“It’s just tough,” said Ayton about the losing skid. “It’s not easy to deal with. I’m going to try my best to take over. Real talk.”

Ayton can wake up and get a double-double. He has 30 this season in 54 games – and it's not inconceivable that he should probably have a few more.

He's averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 58.7 percent, which is the highest percentage ever by a rookie averaging a double-double, according to basketball-reference.com.

"He's a terrific young player," Cleveland coach Larry Drew said before Thursday's game. "I think he has a tremendous upswing. He's got a very, very, very bright future. His size, athleticism, being a big body. He's really impressive down low. He kind of reminds me of an old-school player. Kind of a throwback player, but having a guy that size, with his mobility, and his ability to play around the paint area, he can affect the game in a lot of ways. I see this kid being a tremendous pro."

First off, that’s high praise.

Secondly, Ayton's numbers are impressive for a rookie, but Phoenix needs more from him to win.

Ayton sounds like he’s ready to give that and will have an opportunity to do so Saturday night at Atlanta and live up to his “take over” comments.

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks with Kenrich Williams (34) in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after rolling his left ankle while landing on the foot of Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) passes the ball against the defense of Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) catches an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) celebrates after an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) celebrates after an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) hits a three and draws a foul on Cavaliers' Collin Sexton (2) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Josh Jackson (20) reacts after making a dunk and then blocking Cavaliers' Brandon Knight on the next possession during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) laughs as he jogs up the court after hitting a three pointer against the Cavaliers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) laughs as he jogs up the court after hitting a three pointer against the Cavaliers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) high-fives Richaun Holmes (21) after he found him for a dunk during the second half against the Cavaliers at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Memphis Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks to NBA official Scott Twardoski in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri, AP

Phoenix Suns forward Richaun Holmes (21) leaves the court after being ejected during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, March 25, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer/AP

The Phoenix Suns bench reaches for guard Devin Booker (1) as he leaves during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 25, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer/AP

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Suns' Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half of a game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Mikal Bridges (25) and De'Anthony Melton (14) grab Devin Booker (1) after Booker was called for a technical foul during the second half of a game against the Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) argues with an official after being called for a technical foul during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Phoenix. Matt York, AP

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) shoots a technical free throw during the first half against the Pistons at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) dribbles into the defense of Pistons' Then Maker (7) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) dribbles into the lane against the Pistons' Bruce Brown (6) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) draws a foul and a basket against the Piston's Blake Griffin (23) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) dribbles the ball up the court against the Pistons during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Kelly Oubre Jr. jumps up from the bench celebrating a basket against the Bulls during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' head coach Igor Kokoskov walks away from the bench after a timeout during the second half against the Bulls at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) pushes Josh Jackson away from an official after being called for a technical during the second half against the Bulls at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic